Truck vs. train accident occurs outside of Plains
<p>MRL crew examine the crash that took place between a train and a contracted weed sprayer three miles outside of Plains. </p>
PLAINS – A semi-truck vs. train accident took place three miles east of Plains at approximately 9:25 this morning.
An eastbound Montana Rail Link empty grain train collided with a contracted weed sprayer, according to MRL Public Information Officer Lynda Frost.
“There were no injuries and minimal damage to railroad tracks or equipment. However, the weed sprayer was totaled,” Frost said.
No one was in the truck at the time of the incident, which is still under investigation.
According to first responders, the truck, which was carrying herbicide, was traveling on the tracks when the driver spotted the train. Both the driver and the passenger proceeded to get out of the vehicle to flag down the incoming train.
The truck belonged to Rumble Spray Inc. Vegetation Management, which according to their website specializes in high quality and environmentally friendly railroad vegetation management. The company is located in Zillah, Wash.
The company has been in business since the early 90s and according to Operations Manager Jason Rumble, an incident like this has never occurred.
“It appears to be miscommunication,” Rumble said.
Rumble said the train dispatcher gave them a time his crew could set onto the track, however, that time was evidently incorrect.
“The railroad representatives that communicate with dispatch said it was ok to start on and apparently it was not,” Rumble said.
The names of the drivers are not being released at this time. Both occupants refused transport to the hospital.
Frost was unsure of how long the investigation would take, but assured that incidents like this were “very, very rare.”
It could take up to a week or longer for the investigation to conclude.
Along with MRL crew, Plains-Paradise Rural Fire responded as did Montana Department of Transportation.
The tracks are expected to reopen shortly after noon today.